late 1500s Formation of the League of the Iroquois

1535 Cartier discovers the St. Lawrence: his efforts open the way for France to colonize North America

1608 Champlain founds Quebec on the St. Lawrence

1620 Pilgrims land at Plymouth: first English settlement north of Jamestown

1624 Dutch found New Netherlands

1630 Winthrop fleet arrives at Massachusetts Bay: triggers a mass Puritan emigration to New England

1637 Pequot War: the English decimate native tribes

1642-1648 English Civil War: the Puritans take control of England’s government

1660 English monarchy restored: Charles II becomes king

1664 New Netherlands becomes English New York; Founding of New Jersey

1675-76 Metacomet’s War: the English wrest control of all New England from native Indian tribes

1681 Founding of Pennsylvania: a haven for Quakers

1685 James II becomes king of England

1686 Dominion of New England established: James II places all territory north of Pennsylvania under royal control

1688 Glorious Revolution: William and Mary become monarchs of England

1689 Massachusetts Bay overthrows Andros; Leisler’s Rebellion in New York